Award winning Harpenden bar creates six jobs as it celebrates £150,000 refurbishment with party weekend

Tuesday 21 May 2013 12:05

Slug and Lettuce in Harpenden, the award winning bar operated by Stonegate Pub Company has created six new jobs already, with a further four likely over the coming weeks, following a refurbishment at the bar.

The bar on the High Street, has been transformed in a £150,000 ten-day makeover and is set to celebrate its new look with three days of parties over the coming bank holiday weekend. The bar itself has been updated with elegant new décor, modern bar fittings and mood lighting. An increased number of low level tables have been installed to accommodate the growing breakfast and lunchtime trade whilst an exclusive party booth seating up to 12 people, as well as cleverly designed roped areas, are already attracting a buzz as the perfect spot for party bookings.

General Manager Charlotte Raybould, one of parent company Stonegate Pub Company’s rising stars, has planned three days of opening party events starting with a VIP reception for invited local businesses and regulars this Friday from 7pm. Guests will be treated to a champagne and canapé reception whilst being entertained by firebreathers, a magician, a cocktail masterclass and a top DJ. Special guest, Rosemary Farmer, Mayoress of Harpenden will officially re-open the bar.

The launch weekend continues this Saturday 25th May with a special cocktail masterclass, demonstrating some of the latest summer cocktails by Slug and Lettuce such as ‘violet mojito’ and ‘apple blossom’ which launch nationwide this week. The bar’s resident dj will host the party night until midnight. On bank holiday Sunday, the bar will be hosting a special family fun day complete with face painting, a children’s entertainer and ‘Kids Eat for a Quid’ deal. The bar will be raising money for local children’s charity Sunny Day’s Children’s Fund and will be raffling a very special teddy bear courtesy of Sunny Days.

Commenting on the refurbishment, general manager Charlotte Raybould said, “Our customers who have seen the newly refurbished bar can’t believe their eyes when they walk in. We’ve been overwhelmed by positive comments, especially about the new toilets”, she laughed. “We recently launch a fabulous new summer menu and with our summer cocktail list hitting the bar this week, all we need is lots of sunshine! A clever new layout and bar design means we can now offer customers a stylish setting for breakfast and lunch as well as great night-time party experience. Private booth hire, waitress service and special cocktail masterclasses to teach our customers some of the tricks of the trade, make Slug and Lettuce the perfect venue for any celebration.

“The new bar design is stylish and contemporary but has a warm and inviting feel”, continued Charlotte. “We know our customers want quality, style, faultless customer service and value for money and we believe we have that whole package. With our lovely new look, a brand new menu and a fabulous range of food and drinks offers we’re the ideal place to head for lunchtime food, after work drinks, private hire or late night partying,”

Slug and Lettuce recently introduced a new and improved spring summer menu. Still containing all the customer favourites, additional dishes for summer include Cajun chicken or grilled yellow-fin tuna superfood salads, healthy options at under 500 calories, barbequed chicken and ribs, a delicious new beef masaman curry and a tempting chicken platter perfect for sharing. The bar will continue to offer its hugely popular special deals which include Happy Mondays, when all food is half price, two for the price of one cocktails and Wine Down Wednesdays during which customers can enjoy any bottle of wine on the menu for just £10.95.

Earlier this year Slug and Lettuce won the Menu Masters Award for the City and Bar Dining category which was judged by its industry peers at the prestigious Menu Innovation and Development Awards. Commenting after the win Perry Huntley, Stonegate Pub Company Head of Food Development explained, “We spend a great deal of time trying new ideas, sourcing quality ingredients and listening to our customers, to ensure our menu is just what our diners want, so we are particularly thrilled to receive this award as it reinforces what our customers are telling us, that they love our food!”